Fig. 3: MS-induced ASK1 activation mediated ER stress in alveolar epithelial cells.

a Relative mRNA expression of ASK1 compared to that of GAPDH is displayed in bar graphs (n = 3). b Protein expression of p-ASK1 in TC-1 cells was determined by WB. Relative intensity of the protein bands of p-ASK1 compared to that of Actin as determined by densitometry is displayed in bar graphs (n = 3). c Flow cytometry was performed to measure the expression of p-ASK1 in TC-1 cells (n = 3). d Representative TEM images of the ER in TC-1 cells (n = 3). e Protein expression of BIP and PDI in TC-1 cells was determined by WB. Relative intensity of the protein bands of BIP and PDI compared to that of Tubulin as determined by densitometry is displayed in bar graphs (n = 3). The data are expressed as the means ± SEMs. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001, ****p < 0.001.